Catfish Fest planned

The largest one-day festival in the state of Louisiana is slated to be held April 13 in Winnsboro.The 27th annual Catfish Festival will be held on the streets of downtown Winnsboro from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. and, along with arts and crafts, music will be played from four different stages throughout the day. But, attendees s...

“The festival has become Franklin Parish’s premier event,” said Paul Price Jr., festival director “The festival board of directors works hard to keep the festival as a family-friendly event, a place where young and old alike can find something they can enjoy, and a place where parents can bring their children to enjoy a spring day in a festival atmosphere.”

Cajun music star Jo-EL Sonnier highlights this year’s event and Christian artist Jason Crabb will also be featured. LC Smoove and the Cadillac Kings will perform as well.

There will be a gamer’s paradise, a free video game arcade with 25 screens, a quilt show in the Library Learning Center and the annual flower show at the Old Post Office Museum. The flower show will be held in conjunction with an exhibit of “Blue Dog” art by legendary Louisiana artist George Rodrigue.

A children’s petting zoo, a children’s play area and “walk-around” magician and juggler acts, face painters, artists and a free obstacle course sponsored by the Louisiana National Guard are other activities for the day.

Admission is $5 per person and all funds raised after meeting festival expenses are used for community projects including park upgrades in Franklin Parish, college scholarships for outstanding local students and sponsorship of various activities throughout the parish.